PS 

1476 



^m^ m 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



t LZI^GL \ 

I UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. J 



/ 



NANCY BLAKE 



LETTERS 



TO A 



WESTEEN COUSIN. 



Hcb gorh : 
STNCLAIU TOUSEY, 121 NASSAU STREET 

1804. 







Fi!ANor8 & LnuTRRL, Stationers and I'rinterb, 4f) MAri>KN Lane, N. V. 



NANCY BLAKE LETTEHS 



TO A 



WESTERN COUSIN 



L 

HER ARRIVAL IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. 

Dear Cousin, I have arrived in this wonderful city, 

And, true to my word, I send you this ditty ; 

But were I to write 'till as blind as our Bill, 

Who carries each mornino- the ba^j; to the mill, 

I never could tell the half to be seen — 

The houses, the shoj^s, with the j^eople between. 

I never could tell of the beauty and size 

Of the great shop windows that dazzled my eyes. 

I never could tell, for it's not to l)e told. 

Plow the cai't wheels rattled, how the carrias^es rolFd , 



How tlie streets were filled with the ricli and the i^rond, 

Sure never was seen such a wonderful crowd. 

Yet, which were the ton would have puzzled the brain 

Of a head much wiser than mine to explain. 

Like grandmama's peac >cks, who spread themselves so, 

Each one of them seemed to be dressed for a show. 

Such satins, such silks, such beautiful laces, 

You never got time to look at their faces. 

While my thoughts flew back to home and to you — 

While the old house clock was striking two — 

We arrived at my aunt's in Fifth avenue. 

Now, my uncle McAyres, Tve heard grandmama say. 

Was a tailor, who lived in a very small wav. 

Much mending he did, with clothes ready made. 

Of every description, fashion and shade. 

Till that terrible day, which the world well knows. 

That valorous day, when the North arose. 

For the "Flag" had l>een struck by Southern foes. 

Now, my uncle McAyres was a loyal man, 

And his loyal soul was flllM ^\'ith a plan — - 



To serve bis countiy, with a thankful heart, 

In his hiiml)le way lie would act his part. 

So they worked and worked, for the need was soi-e ; 

All day they worked in my uncle's store, 

And made coats for the men that went to the war 

By what strange chance I never can tell, 

For the coats turned out not (piite so well 

As the people had hoped, l)ut just in a day 

My nncle grew rich in some wonderful way. 

While President Lincoln, extending his hand, 

Called out in a voice that was heard in the land — 

Called out to the people, the loyal and true. 

To go forth and fight for the red, white and Line. 

In that perilous hour- thro' weakness and shame. 
Whatever l>efell us 'twas ever the same, 

Richer and richer ray uncle became. 

So when he had o-ot both honor and <rold 

He bought him a house, as I have been told, 

Where the quality live, all in a row — 

Such wonderful houses, la ! what a show. 



6 

Indeed, I could scarcely believe my own eyes, 

And I til ought to myself, as I looked at the size. 

If this l)e the house of my uncle McAyres, 

O, what must be that of the Parson's and Mayor's ( 

So while I was thinkins; I knocked at the door, 

But I might have knocked on 'till my knuckles were sore, 

Had not the driver so kindly revealed 

The knob at the side, so nicely concealed, 

When I gave it a pull, and it opened so quick, 

Dear-a-me, it was almost as good as a trick ; 

When I asked of the help if aunt Betsy was in 

(He was black as a coal, though ueat as a pin). 

He replied, with a smile and a l)ow so polite, 

(It couldn't liave been better had he l)een ever so white), 

"That Mrs. McAyres was in, he believed, 

But as it was earlier than she ever received, 

If I'd walk in the parlor, and wait for a while, 

He would take up my name ;" and so with a smile 

He left me alone, where I wondered a bit 

Whether to stand or whether to sit. 



Where everything seemed so fine and so frail, 
Foi- all the world like an Arabian tale ; 
But what it was like you never would know, 
So if you 11 listen awhile I'll endeavor to show, 

* * -5f -x- 

There's our back-yard, with all its posies, 

Ilolly-hocks and yellow roses — 

Of which we have a dreadful siii^ht — 

'Tis not so full, nor half so bright 

As my aunt's carpet, while each cliaii- 

Is quite as graiul, I do declare. 

And glasses, too, la ! what a heap, 

'Twas funny just to take a peep, 

All shining bright as little lakes, 

Or pretty 2:)onds for ducks and drakes. 

And some were square, and some ^vere tall, 

And all were hanging on the wall; 

And pictures, like you see in l)ooks, 

With houses, trees and little brooks, 

But not, it seemed, with country looks; 



But then the frames were all so fine, 

And like as any gold did shine. 

And some were Claude's, my aunt has said, 

And that's what makes the sky so red ; 

So this, I think, is the reason, too, 

That makes the grass so di-eadful 1)1 iie. 

Wliile in a corner, by themselves. 

All nicely piled on little shelves, 

Were china ])oys and china cn}>s, 

And little dogs with little pups, 

And many things, piled up so higli. 

You couldn't count them should you try; 

And figures, too, all ou a post. 

Each one as wliite as any ghost. 

Some all alone, some in a row. 

Without a stitch from top to toe, 

I've often heard our parson say 

That city folks would go astray, 

And so I thought, without delay, 

I'll speak my mind to aunt McAyres — 

My notion on such like affairs. 



9 

So I settled my gown and tidied my hair, 

And sat myself down on tlie edge of a cliair, 

Twisting and tnrning like any live eel, 

When a lady came in so grand and genteel, 

And taking my hand, with the leetlest shake. 

Said : " How do you do. Miss Nancy Blake ?" 

That this was aunt Betsy, wdio would have sus])ecte(l, 

Such powerful manners, so cool and collected. 

And dressed, I declare, as fine as a fiddle. 

In the queerest of gowns, with a slit up the middle. 

And, la ! such a petticoat, ruffle and lace, 

Just showing as plain as the nose on her face — 

So while I was looking, with all of my eyes, 

I reckon she saw my shame and surprise, 

For she called it by name, I blushed as I heard, 

A dimble, or some other finefied word. 

Then taking my hat, which I held on my knees. 

With a smile, like a pippin, she said would I please 

To excuse Miss Jenny, for Mrs. Van Geesen 

Had given, last night, the l)all of the season, 



10 

She had clauced each set till it was near on to one, 
As the rooms were quite hot she was quite over-done. 
La! she needn't have asked, I w\as in such a fluster, 
Not a w^ord in reply had I courage to muster ; 
And my tongue, which at home so freely can wag, 
Seemed tied in my month, like a cat in a bag, 
While all the fine things which I meant to have said 
Just popped in a minute right out of my head. 
But when she'd a notion I wanted to dress, 
As they dined at five, you may venture to guess 
I was struck of a heap, as upside-down 
As every thing else in this wonderful town. 



11 



IT. 

SHE GOES TO STEWART'S, BALL & BLACK'S, ETC. 

Dear Cousin, my niicle MciVyres believes in the war ; 

He l)elieves the people should l>e willing to pour 

Their blood and their treasure to save this nation, 

He l)elieves in the President and the proclamation. 

Tho' a l)usy man, who is full of cares, 

Of I'ailroad stocks, contracts and shares, 

A loyal man is my uncle, McAyres. 

With money to spend, 'tis my nncle's desire 

That whatever the fashion and times ]'e(|nire, 

(rentility, elegance, pleasure or health. 

His family should freely partake of his wealth ; 

Now, mindful of this, my aunt did decide, 

As the \veatlier was tine we should go for a ride, 

There was shopping to do, and some other choi'es, 

So we reckoned 'tAvas best to 2:0 to the stores. 

We tidied ourselves, and quick as a thought 

Around to the door the carriaw was broui»:ht; 



12 

O, didn't I stare, 'twas enough, I declare, 

For there's nothing on earth that can ever compare 

With them two horses, as 1)Lick as a sloe, 

With the harness a-shining as white as the snow. 

As uppish and vain of their handsome black coats, 

As any two dandies a-sowing their oats. 

And then such a carriag-e, ae shinins: and lu-iHit 

As grandpapa's hoots, when, on Saturday night, 

Witli a piece of a candle he gives them a greasing, 

To keep the new leather from cracking and creasing. 

And my ! such a shape, just like my calash. 

Only twenty times bigger, with more of a dash, 

With a seat for the driver, whose coat is the same 

As is worn by the driver of the Countess McMaime, 

For my aunt sent to London on purpose to learn 

Her ladyship's mind in this little concern. 

And a (pieer little picture, my aunt pointed out. 

But I nevei- can learn what it all is about ; 

A coat-of-arms, she has said, to let the world know, 

In the way of fine deeds, we have something to show. 



13 

If put on tor a >*igii, our tailor's is better, 

For true as I live there is never a letter. 

And I thought to myself, if these Yorkers had known 

My aunt, when a gii'l, before she was grown, 

I've heard grandmama say none had her ability 

In making up hats for the neighboring gentility. 

* -X- -Jf * 

But while 1 am prating, these wonders relating, 

Jacob, the driver, was quietly waiting. 

So we got in the carriage, when, seated at ease. 

My aunt drew the blanket up over onr knees. 

O, la! what an elegant blanket, I cried, 

'"Tis an Afghan, Miss Blake," aunt Betsy replied ; 

"All the peoj)le you'll meet — of position, I mean — 

Have an Afghan like this of red, yellow and green." 

^- «- * -X- 

Then Jacol), the driver, he flourished the reins. 
The horses they flourishe<l their tails and their manes, 
And if you had seen, when we got u]) our steam, 
You'd have thought it a pretty respectable team. 



14 

It was pretty to see my cousin, Miss Jenny, 
So handsome and trim, so quiet and steady. 
The pretty long curls falling over her face, 
Like Jacob, the driver, each keeping its place, 
Sitting back in the carriage so careless and proud. 
It was pretty to see her look down on the ci'owd. 
But I tried all I could to look clever and kind. 
So I think it quite likely the crowd didn't mind. 
But just at this moment my mind went ast]*ay. 
For we had entered the street that they call Broadway, 
Where the crowd is so thick and the windows so gay, 
Where the beautiful women — oh ! what a lot — 
Were pursuing some wonder, I could not tell what ; 
Where the brave soldier lads, were fifeing an<l tooting— 
(My aunt and my cousin both called it recruiting) — 
While my aunt, with a voice very solemn and cleai-, 
Hoped " the dear people would all Volunteei'." 
Where nothing was heard but cracking and flashing. 
But hurry and worry, and dashing and smashing; 
The pavement a-shaking, the horses a-quaking. 



15 

'Till ray lieart and my head were both dizzy and aching ; 
Where the people went mincing and dancing along, 
Not caring a fig for the jostle or throng ; 
Where all was confusion, and tumnlt and labor, 
Every one for himself, not a soul for his neighbor, 
'Till I thought 'twere as easy to ride on a rail 
As ever to find the head or the tail ; 
Where every one seems to be treading a mill, 

Like so many horses as blind as our Bill. 

* * * * * 

But Jacob, the driver, he dropped the reins. 

The horses they dropped their tails and their manes. 

Like a cow in the clovei', we came to a stand 

Before a great shop, so white and so grand, 

That in all of our town and country thro' 

I reckon we have nothing to liken it to. 

* * * ^- * 

Here were swarms of people, with clerks for all. 
But my aunt, who had stopped for an Ingin shawl. 
Walked on, followed close by Miss Jenny and I, 



16 

To tlie right nor the left not turning her eye. 

While my aunt, in a way very proper and nice, 

Was selecting a shawl of a wonderful price — 

While I thought of the people, and gazed on the faces, 

Whose lines had been cast in such beautiful places, 

There came to my side a poor, plain body, 

Who looked at my aunt, an<l whispered — shoddy. 

Shoddy — what did it mean ? 1 looked at her feet, 

Indeed, they were exceedingly proper and neat 

What did it mean ? my temper was stirred, 

And I thought to myself, I will look for this word 

In the nice little book which grandmama bought. 

Where the meaning of words is properly taught. 

Then we entered the carriage, "Ball & Black" my aunt said, 

Jacob, the driver, he nodded his head, 

And drew up the Afghan of green, yelloAV and red. 

A moment it seemed, when ^ve came to a stop, 

And I stood, with my aunt, in a beautiful shop. 

La! what a dazzle — what a power of things — 

What charming trinkets— what gay gold rings, 



17 

And a wonderful clock where a little bird sings. 

And silver teapots, and jewels, and plate. 

Such as never was seen in our Prairie State. 

Here my annt Betsy met Mrs. Van Turkey, 

Who said she Avas looking for something reherlcey, 

While she held up a ti-inket — la I how it did shine — 

My annt and my cousin both said it was fine. 

While Miss Jenny was saying this to)' was to deck 

Mrs, Van Turkey's synnnetrical neck, 

The clerk bronght a papei- — he called it a check — 

I looked at the figures, (juite struck with alarm. 

For, indeed, it was the price of grandpapa's farm ; 

Tlien Mrs Van Turkey, instead of h'-r name. 

Made a neat little cross, which slie said was the same. 

While Miss Jenny was Imying a trifie or two. 

My aunt, Betsy McAyres, quite silently drew 

My hand through hei' arm, and, oh ! she has shown 

Til at Mr. Van Turkey is a man to be known. 

She whispered the tale, which I heard with a tear, 

He hix^fed the poor soldiers- for more than a year; 



18 

May the Lord, who protects us, botli waking and sleeping, 
Have these good people quite safe in his keeping. 

Now, starting for home, we got cauglit in a muss 

With a great yellow coach — they call'd it a buss — 

Wliich went crashing along, quite making a spread. 

With a fine coat-of-arriis as big as my bead, 

When I took snch a fright, that I saw nothing more 

'Till Jacol), the driver, drew up to the door. 

% -X- * ^ ^- 

Before sleeping that night — for relieving my mind — 
I looked ill my book, 1)ut no word could I find 
Like the poor body spoke ; indeed it is clear 
It was a meaningless word that troubled my ear. 



19 



III. 



SHE GOES TO CHURCH. 

Dear Cousin, Miss Jenny's new hat arrived last niglit, 

Sncli lilacs and loses —purple and white — 

Heaped np on the front, put in with a mass 

Of little field daisies, peepino- up through the grass 

So white and so fresh, ^v\th the middle so yellow, 

Looking just as tliey came right out of the meadow ; 

While over the cape were pinned crossways 

The leetlest i'ose-l)uds, stems and sprays, 

Just as you see them clind) and roam 

Over the lattice in our arl)or at home. 

With ril.bons and laces, la I what a pile, 

But my aunt has declared that this is the style. 

I reckon I \vas glad to see that hat. 

For, as you must know, it depi^ided on that — 

Its ari'ival at home on Saturday night. 

With mv aunt's new mantle, trimmed with a sight 



Of pleats and ruffles, with agown that ^vas notched and gored — 

Whether we went to the h.onse of tlie Lord. 

The day was fine, it was pleasant to hear 

The Sabbath bells ring out so clear; 

To see the people who thronged the street, 

While the carriage was waiting so proper and neat, 

With Jacob, the driver, sitting up on the seat. 

As far as the deacons, to our Avood-pile — 

I reckon we drove the length of a mile. 

When Jacob, the driver, at a solemn trot, 

Drew up in front of the sacred sjiot. 

You have seen the picture we have at home 

Of St. Peter's, that wonderful church at Rome ; 

This seemed the same to my wondering eyes, 

But my aunt has said that it differs in size. 

We went in with the croA\Tl. Oh ! how my heart beat 

At the sound of the music, so solemn and sweet. 

While a man went Ijefore, in a way very kind. 

Opened the door of a pew that was cushioned and lined 

With the richest of velvet ; but all that I felt 



21 

As I watched tliem, and saw how they silently knelt, 
The people that met in this " Temple of Grace'''' 
(For this, I think is the name of the place) — 
The beauty, the fashion, the glittei', the glow 
Of the gay colored windows — the style and the show ; 
The dresses, the laces, the wonderful taste. 
The fancy of many, some pretty and chaste ; 
The garish, the polish, the tinsel and gilding, 
The splendor and light of this wonderful building. 
And I thought to myself, as I looked upon 
These people that dazzled my eyes like the sun, 
Nancy Blake ! Nancy Blake ! sure these are the ton. 
But where were the poor ? For each corner and niche 
Seemed crowded and jammed with the happy and rich. 
Where was Jacob, the driver ? Tho' I looked for his face, 
'Twas nowhere to be found in this beautiful place. 
Then remembering the day, I attempted to pray. 
But the God, whom we w^orship, seemed farther away 
Than in the white church, that arose to my mind, 
With no tinsel to please, no seats that Avere lined ; 



22 

Where Christ, who took on Ilim our burden of woe — 

The burden of all, the high and the low — 

Seems nearer, I think, than in this temple of show. 

•» * * vC- * 

"Remember the Sabbath, so thou winild'st l)e blest, 
Six days shalt tlion labor, on this shalt thou rest ; 
The Lord, aaIio made all things, this commandment hath 
laid 

On thee and thy daughter, thy man-servant and maid." 
* * * * -K- 

This was the text, and I gi"e\v quite ])erplexed, 
While I looked at my aunt, who, I said, would be vexed 
At the orders she left, to be cooking the meat, 
AVitli other strange dishes — some wonderful treat 
Which Miss Jenny's new beau was invited to eat. 
But while I was thinking of all he was teaching — 
A\^hile my mind grew quite dazed l)etween practice and 

])i'eaching — 
The sermon was ended ; we went out with the crowd. 
And I thought to myself, have they reverently bowed 



23 

At the feet of the Saviour ? Have they learned what he 

taught, 
To l)e Immljle and meek ? Have they found what tliey sought ? 

But the thought of the dinner put ni}' aunt in a worry — 
Miss Jenny's new beau gave Miss Jenny a fiurry — 
80 Jacob, the driver, drove liome in a liurry. 

**'• ^ *2f ^ ^C' 

How that table \vas spread can never be told. 

Such kuives and such forks, such silvei* and gold — - 

Such china, such glasses, my ! how they did shine. 

Three kinds of glasses for three kinds of wine — 

Blue, yellow and red, three at a plate. 

Like the Countess McMaimes when dining in state. 

Such salt-cellars of goUl, one at a dish — 

Such a spoon for the soup — such a knife for tlie fish. 

-;f ^f ■?:- -;:- -x- 

My uncle, McAyres, he sat at the head, 

Junius Brutus Vangeesen, wdiose father, when dead, 

Will leave him tlii-ee millions of gold, it is said — 



24 

Sat in tlie middle ; siicli poultry and game — 

Such dishes of meat, with jellies the same 

As are put on the table of the Countess McMaime. 

Just one at a time, with some wonderful sauce. 

Which my aunt has explained by the name of a course. 

Junius Brutus Vangeesen, he chatted with ease, 

Miss Jenny she played with her fork and her peas ; 

'Twas j)i*etty to see her eat one at a time, 

While Junius Brutus Vangeesen thought it a crime 

To be breaking the Sabbath like the people who ride 

In the two-horse cars — while my uncle relied 

On the sermon we all had been hearing that day. 

To keep the poor people from going astray. 

* ^ -X- vi- 

When the dinner was thro' I went dow^n to the cook 
To help her a bit. La ! 'twas as good as a book 
To see Miss Jenny stand up by the table, 
Eating her peas right out of the ladle. 



25 



IV. 

SHE TAKES A RIDE IN CENTRAL PARK— GOES TO THE OPERA— A 

MARRIAGE. 

Dear Cousin, Saturday morn I got up wltli the lark, 

For tliis is tlie day wlien the people of mark 

All go to ride in the Central Park. 

Junius Brutus Vangeesen he came at three, 

Aunt Betsy McAyies she whispered to me, 

While he helped Miss eTenny get into the carriage, 

That "Junius Brutus Vaugeesen had hinted at marriage." 

Aunt Betsy McAyres and I sat together, 

Junius Brutus Vangeesen he talked of the weather. 

He said : " The oriran of the new Prima Donna 

Beflected all possil)le credit and honor 

On manager Gro— a verra good fellah." 

Miss Jenny she said " it was exceedingly mellow," 

AVhile she played Avltli the Afghan of red, green and yellow. 

Now, when we got there, it Avas a sight to l)ehol(l, 

For all the gentry — the young and the old — 



26 

Dressed in the way that can never be told, 

Had arrived on the spot — then the hiwns and ridges, 

The ponds of water, and O ! tlie bridges. 

With plenty of land to be walking around. 

But alack ! there is only one place to be found 

Where the quality drive ; so we twisted a1)out, 

But how we got in or how we got out 

Of that l)eautiful place where the quality go, 

Jacob, the driver, only can know. 

Soon Miss Jenny looked uji, and pointed her glove, 

Junius Brutus Vangeesen — who being in love. 

As was proper and right — then pointed his hand. 

My aunt Betsy McAyres she whispered, "the l)and"— 

Then Miss Jenny declared "'twas the dear Traviata." 

O, I listened, and listened — la! what was the matter. 

No thing could I hear but the noise and the clatter 

Now, while I was thinking — as I looked at the ci-owd- 

That these Yorkers did speak uncommonly loud, 

Whom should we meet, just face unto face, 

But Mrs. Van Turkey, all feathers and lace ? 



27 

AYliile riding Ijehind came tlie rich Mrs. Toodle, 

Who was sitting alone with Bijou the poodk; — 

Who spoke to Miss Jenny, just saying, indeed, 

"That when Bijou had pups they woukl be a rare breed?" 

And who promised to send, when the creature got thro', 

" One to my aunt's in Fifth Avenue." 

Then the rich Mrs. Toodle " decLared it was horrid 

To see Mrs. Plimpton, whose face was so florid. 

And she thought for a fact that the creature Irid done it,. 

When she put on her head that riijanore bonnet." 

TLen the rich Mrs. Toodle asked " what was the news?" 

While she wondered, indeed, to see all the Jews. 

" Did we like Mrs. O'Grady's very loud manner ? 

Ah ! there goes the band at the Star Spangled l>anner." 

While I listened to all with admirinGr awe, 

Junius Brutus Vangeesen said "the tune was a baw." 

Then the rich Mrs. Toodle passed out of our sight. 

But I saw Mrs. Plimpton, whose face had grown white — 

Whose horses, they said, had just taken fright. 

O, I felt in my mind quite ready to sink, 



28 

Lai I said to myself, Avhat would grandmania think? 

But just at tliis moment, riding in haste, 

There came a young man of uncommon taste, 

Who wore a long coat with a very short w^aist. 

My aunt Bessy she said: '"Twas not very clear 

How he kept that fine horse on six hundred a year." 

Now he Lowed to Miss Jenny — "Had she hapjxMied to 

hear 
That Mr. McPherson, a man for the times — 
Abused l)y the ^vorld for a few l»etty crimes — 
Was going to marr}" ?" '•In<lee(l, are you sui-e^ 
I thought the good creature was horridly p )or.'" 
Then this very young man bowed again to Miss Jenny, 
*'He has a contract, you know, and is making a ])enny; 
Indeed, I am told, and can give it as true, 
He has bought him a house in Fifth Avenue." 
Then he i)atted his horse, which bore him away. 
While Junius Brutus Vangeesen said: "We mu-t not delay, 
For this was the night to 2ro to the i)la>'.'' * 



29 

'Tavus an opeiYi ni,^"lit, we went into the pit, 

For there's where the style and the (quality sit. 

My aniit Betsy ^IcAyres wore a beantitul ii-owii, 

A moire antique of crimson and b^(>^\'n, 

With wonderthl jewels of red and white, 

For my aunt McAj'res says it is right 

For the ])eople to di-ess on an opera night. 

Miss Jenny was clothed in royal stuff — 

Like the Empress wears — of purple and buff, 

AVith ri!»l)ons, and laces, and jewels of blue, 

Junius Brutus Vangeesen said " she would do," 

N(jw, my aunt and Miss Jenny, whose taste is complete, 

Said: "Tho' my old gowns were pretty and neat. 

They were not exactly the soi't of affairs 

To be worn l)y the niece of Patrick McAyres." 

So, alack ! I was dressed in an elegant red, 

A\^itli real lace for my neck and a wreath foi- my head — 

With veiy white gloves — the best that are sold — 

With ii"ori''eous bracelets of amber and 2:old. 

But I tried not to think of my elegant clothes. 



30 

My aunt Betsy had said I must study repose. 

So I looked at the people, who were seated in rows — 

Who chatted and laughed, and kept twitching their fans^. 

Stamj^ing their feet and clapping their hands 

'Till the curtain went up. Now, I would never engage 

To tell all they did on that wearisome stage, 

But unto my mind the case is quite plain. 

Than when folks have sorrow, and trouble and pain, 

They never do sing in that rollicking strain. 

Then I tried to have patience, for this was the night 

That good Mr. Gro, to the people's delight, 

Was to bring out a hally. Alas ! 'twas 1 )ut a heathenish name- 

For a thing that was naught but a sin and a shame. 

I blushed when they talked of " the beauty and gi ace" — 

I saw not, indeed — it was in turning my face 

Quite ai'ound, that the people should every one know 

That [ did not approve of this indecent show. 

When close to my ear, wdiat word should I hear 

But '''' shoddif again — 'twas monstrous queer. 

Shoddy — I grew quite sick of " an opera night" — 



31 

Of my elegant clotlies and the blazing light, 
And yearned ft)r my Lome, with a silent prayer — 
For tlie old hearthstone and the ftices there. 
Shoddy — ask grandmama, pray, 
If it is anything wonderfully out of the way ? 

Miss Jenny is married, in splendor and worth, 

My cousin's trosso was a wonder on earth. 

From the ring on her finger to the white silk gown 

I reckon it made a talk in the town. 

The house of the Lord, and even the street 

Was crowded and jammed with the great aileef, 

No space to sit, nor even to stand, 

'Tis said " the affair was exceedingly grand." 

I reckon my uncle McAyres was proud 

To he followed quite home by that l)eautiful crowd, 

A\di() chatted and laughed — who partook of the feast — 

AVho looked at the presents — ah ! the cost of the least 

Would keep, I am thinking (1 may whisjier it here), 

A ])Oor ftimily in bread for more than a year. 



32 

Bat a few of these ele2:ant tlilno;s, I an told — 

These gorgeous sets of silver and gold 

Are hired from shops — brought home for a day — 

For it is in a wedding, my aunt does say, 

That the great aileet must make a display. 

Now, the bride and the groom have taken a notion 

To i*un for a toor across the ocean. 

They will go 'till they see all that's to be seen. 

The amphitheatre and the English queen ; 

The volcanos, the rivers, and all of the mountains, 

The parks, the gardens, and all of the fountains; 

Then to St. Peter's church, just to look at the dome, 

So tell grandmama, please, I will not be home 

'Till Mrs. Vangeesen returns from Rome. 



83 



SHODDY! 

Ill sackcloth aiitl ashes, bowed down to the Dfroiind. 

This terrible word, with its meaning, Fve found. 

Do yoii know, what it is, who careless and gay. 

Are walking the streets of your city to-day? 

Do yon know, what it is, who hold in }our hand 

Some anchor of trust in a storm-driven land? 

Do you know, what it is, wherever you dwell, 

In city, in town, in village or dell? 

Have you found out this word ? Have you pondered it well ? 

Afloat on the river — the mad river of war — 

In a ship that is freighted with a god-given store 

Of memories and hopes, all you cherish on earth, 

Your country, your honor, your treasures of worth. 

Afloat on a river, whose billows run red 

AMth the lives of the million, whose blood hath been shed 



34 

Tliat you may be saved, Avliile close by tlieir side, 
Hand, grasping tlie liand tliat is stemming the tide. 
Brave words on Lis tongue, a smile on his lip. 
Stands Shoddy, the man who is scuttling your shijo. 
Come out from }'our sloth, wake up to the hour — 
Come out 'neath the skies, where the battle-clouds lower, 
Come out where the voice of the trumpet is calling. 
Where brave men by thousands and thousands are falling- 
Where, trusting in God, working up to the goal 
(Thro' days which are leaving their print on the soul). 
See the men of the battle facing the foe. 
See, behind them, a hand with a deadlier blow 
Aimed at their lives — reckless and l)old— 
It is Shoddy, the pa f riot, doubling his gold. 

Come on, through this path, re2:)ulsive and vile, 
Whei-e fiown tlie dark shadows of gloomy Belle Isle ; 
No gleaming of light — no high-road of flowers, 
Where disease and starvation but vary the hours. 
Ay ! daily to you hath the story been told. 



While Shoddy at home is still doubling his gold — 

Gold that is coined in the costliest mint — 

Gold that bears on its face a teiTil)le print, 

The tears of the widow, the ^\^a\] and the sio-hino; 

Of poor broken hearts — the groans of the dying. 

He is piling them up, fi'esli from the mold — 

He is tm'ning his Avares into glittering gold. 

He traffics — this man — in a fanciful mart, 

Eveiy day lie Ijrings home, in his close-covered cart, 

The hope of a patriot, the life-blood of a heart. 

In the dead of the night, when no spirit is near, 

Does not the chink of that gold giv^e l)ack to his ear 

The last note of the dirge, the groan and the tear? 

Let no smile ^vreatli your lip when shoddy is sjooken, 

Be it ever to \o\\' a si2:n and a token 

Of hopes that wei'e crushed, of hearts that are l)roken. 

Let no woman that's pure, in this beautiful land. 

Pass over this crime, or hold forth her hand 

To the man or the w^oman defiled bv this l)rand. 



8H 



God's curse is upon it — lo I the angels above, 
Who are keeping o'er earth their vigils of love. 
Start back in affright whenever is heard, 
In the kingdom of light, this terrible word. 
With no humor attached to cover its name. 
The tears of the angels cannot blot out its shame. 



